Malaysia looks to skies to ease tension

This was part of a larger exercise to take a relook at Indo-Malaysian civil aviation agreements. But with the issue disappearing from the headlines, Kuala Lumpur has now proposed bilateral talks between Malaysian Airlines and Air India to expand the former’s business.

In fact, infuriated by the treatment meted out to Indian IT professionals despite their having proper documents, the Government had begun to closely examine every aspect of Indo-Malaysian relations.

Civil Aviation ties were in particular focus as Malaysian Airlines has gained maximum over the past few years. The company had obtained permission to operate flights on all days of the week to Mumbai while Air India got a certain share of the seats in these aircraft. In all, the airlines has 21 flights a week to Hyderabad, Delhi and Mumbai.

In return, Malaysia allowed operations to Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Lankawi. Barring Kuala Lumpur, neither Air India nor Indian Airlines have flights to the other destinations.

On the other hand, Malaysian Airlines has more than doubled its business to the region in the recent past.

The latest proposal seeks to further this. It is learnt this offer would increase available seat capacity by about 4,000. With the Government planning to enhance Civil Aviation infrastructure in the coming years, the airline hopes to corner more routes in India and has suggested the same in the proposal.

However, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is yet to take a decision on whether talks will be held between the two airlines. Given the circumstances under which aviation ties came under a cloud, sources said, a policy-level consideration would be needed at a higher level. It is understood that while Malaysian leaders have apologised for the harassment of IT professionals, no official has been punished till date. However, some police officials have apparently been shifted from Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, bilateral ties seem to be limping back to normal with the Malaysian Minister of Works Samy Velu slated to visit next week. Other senior Malaysian officials and delegations are also expected to visit India. It may be recalled that India had expressed its inability to host the Malaysian Health Minister two months ago saying the dates were not convenient.